Collage Theatre-The Dalit Community

For over 3000 years the Dalits – or Untouchables – have been positioned at the bottom of Indias' society and are subject to the most aggressive and dehumanising abuse. They are born into a culture that devalues them from birth with society considering them lower than animals. The term ‘Dalit’ literally translates to downtrodden or oppressed and there are 250 million Dalits who are exposed to this injustice. 

I've always been completely amazed by the culture of India, it's a place I've always wanted to visit, and volunteer in.  Until I got my place at University I was planning on doing a volunteering trip in October, however due to other commitments this, unfortunately, can not happen anymore. But I didn't want to completely give up my opportunity to help, and so I got  to work with creating a program specifically designed to bring my own community together, whilst raising money for those less fortunate than ourselves.

I started Collage theatre about a month ago, it came from the thought of combining something I love (theatre) with a good cause. I'm currently running sessions every Thursday with children aged 5-11. During these sessions I'm teaching the children about Indian culture, faith, hardship and life. Each 20 minute session provides us with a component of our final performance. For instance, this week has been focussed around making and decorating Diwali candle holders. The candles themselves will be the lighting that we use during the performance. The children in my community find it invaluable to be able to work hands on, and be involved in every aspect of our final show, which will be performed at the X-24 festival. I'm also currently in the process of setting up a pen-pal type system in which the children I'm working with will be able to send pictures, and letters to the schools and centres for the Dalit children. This allows both groups of kids to share with eachother about their lives, and cultures. It gives my children a chance to feel a sense of purpose, and allows the children from the Dalit community to understand that people care, and are eager to learn about their way of life, whilst simultaneously raising money to support them.

Every aspect of the 20 minute sessions and final performance have been created by myself, and the rest of Collage theatre. Alongside this, I'm currently coming up with other ideas as to how I can raise money for the Dalit community, the idea of setting up a go fund me page was not my own, however it's for a fantastic cause and thus, here I am. 

The brilliant thing behind this is that we're not only helping to bring our own community together by sharing, teaching and learning, but we're also able to raise money for those much less fortunate than ourselves. 

The Life Association has been working hand in hand with the Dalit community for over 20 years, and is the charity that I'm going to be donating to.

Here's what the money you give can help to provide:

£10 per month will provide a child with their education, and healthcare needs. Whilst £20 per month provides all the food, healthcare, education and clothes for a child. This means if we can raise £240 a child is supported for a whole year. This year can make all the difference, and truly, every penny counts. 

Without food, healthcare and education these children will be destined for a life of poverty and hardship. With our help, we can break the cycle of a child's life, and give them not only hope, but a future. 

Love & light,

Meg x

P.s follow my blog https://megs-on-a-bez.tumblr.com/ for updates, pictures and videos of the things Collage theatre are getting up to.